WINTER SOLSTICE

Happy First Day of Winter, December 21, 2024. It occurred at 4:21 am EST when the sun is at its most southern position of the year, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. It is always on December 21st or 22nd. 

It's common to hear it called the shortest day of the year. It's not. Whatever the season, all days are 24 hours long.

The Winter Solstice is the day that has the least amount of daylight and the longest amount of darkness or night.

Starting the next day, the amount of daylight increases by 1 minute. "It doesn't sound like much, but after just two months, or around 60 days, we'll be seeing about an hour more of sunlight." (CBS News, December 21, 2024, 9:19 am EST

GREATEST LOVE STORY OF ALL TIME

 Someone asked Google, "What is the greatest love story of all time?" Google's answer is the most popular and most memorized Bible verse of all time, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). 

Are you as surprised as I was that Google gave this answer to this question? I was. They absolutely nailed the best answer. What a lovely thought to meditate on as we approach our celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ.

The angel Gabriel told Mary to name her expected son “Jesus,” which means “the Lord is Salvation." "Christ" means  "Messiah" or the "Anointed One." It is a tile, not a last name.

JACKSONVILLE (FL) CITY COUNCIL EMAIL: No Street Should Be Named after Ben Frazier.

Please do not rename Confederate Ave. to Ben Frazier Place. Ben Frazier was one of the most divisive influences in Jacksonville. It will take a long time to undo the damage he has done to race relations in our city.

Below, I have documented multiple examples of Frazier's behavior over the years that prove he does not deserve the honor of a street being named after him. He is not an example to hold up to children and youth as to how to engage in public discourse. It would be an insult to those of us who, to the best of our ability, honored and obeyed City Council rules for years. Honoring Frazier for his behavior would only invite more disorderly behavior in future public meetings, which none of us want.

Back in Civil War or War between the States days, Jacksonville was divided between those who supported the Union and those who supported the Confederates. When the Rebels were in control of the city, Union sympathizers took refuge in Fernandina. Four times during the war, the Yankees took control of the city. Rebel citizens, then, retreated to Lake City. 

After the war, most returned to Jacksonville. Back home and the war over, most put aside their differences and came together to rebuild their city's pre-war prosperity. We today are beneficiaries of their hard work.

Jacksonville and the country  today are divided much as they were before the Civil War. Renaming Confederate Ave. after Frazier would only solidify or deepen the divide between blacks and whites in Jacksonville. 

SOLUTIONS:

Since today's Confederate Ave. is split into two segments, why not keep the name Confederate Ave. on the segment in Springfield Park and rename the second segment Yankee Ave. 

Another solution would be more aspirational. Everyone talks about unity as a goal to end our divides. So, Unity Ave. would be a good choice for both segments.

=============================

BACKGROUND ON BEN FRAZIER:

Frazier disrespected and disrupted the City Council on numerous occasions. He often went over the 3-minute time limit for public comment.

He also violated other rules of the City Council. 

The worst example was December 13, 2022.  He would not acknowledge when the President gaveled him to stop speaking because he went over the time limit. Instead, he turned to the audience and  started chanting "Take them down," referring to   Confederate statues. 

A JSO Officer arrested Frazier  on charges of trespassing, resisting arrest and failure to obey the rules of decorum. Later, the first two charges were dropped. Frazier pleaded No Contest to the third charge and was fined $50, which he paid. (1)

City Council was not the only target of Frazier's contempt. On January 4, 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had a press conference scheduled in Jacksonville at the Department of Children and Families office building. 

Uninvited, Frazier and a number of his supporters entered the room where the press conference was to take place. It was open to "credentialed media" only. 

Frazier demanded to speak to the Governor. Because they refused to leave, the press conference was relocated to another State office building next door. 

Frazier was arrested by a JSO Officer and charged with first-degree misdemeanor for trespassing. The charges were dropped later. (2)

On September 1, 2021, Frazier held another rally at City Hall against Confederate statues still in the city. The event started outside in front of City Hall.

Soon the protesters, led by Frazier, entered City Hall to demand a meeting with then  Mayor Lenny Curry. They swarmed the 4th floor outside the Mayor's office, which was locked. They banged on the door & shouted demands. 

Their actions alarmed and frightened city employees who went into lockdown or shelter in pllace mode. A security guard ordered Frazier's group to leave, which they did. However, they  returned the following day.

Frazier and his group's actions resulted in new restrictions, beginning on September 3, 2021, for all City Hall visitors. A sign posted in the Atrium read, "City offices on the first floor situated off the central atrium and all floors above the first floor of City Hall are not public forums for engaging in activity that disrupts ongoing work of City Hall employees." Going beyond the Atrium without an appointment or invitation from a city official could result in arrest for trespassing. (3)

On June 10, 2021, Frazier went to a meeting of the Florida Department of Education board held at the Florida State College at Jacksonville's Advanced Technology Center. Before a vote on a ban on teaching  Critical Race Theory (CRT) in public schools in Florida, the board included time for public comments on their agenda.

Frazier was there to oppose the ban on teaching CRT. When he finished his comments, Frazier led around 20 of his supporters in a chant, "Allow teachers to teach the truth." 

The meeting was suspended for about 5 minutes while the room was cleared by security. No arrests were made. When the meeting resumed, the board voted unanimously to ban CRT teaching in Florida's public schools.

SOURCES:

1). "Ben Frazier detained during Jacksonville City Council e, debate over Confederate monuments continue," by Hanna Holthaus, The Florida Times-Union

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2022/12/14/northside-coalition-of-jacksonville-leader-arrested-at-city-council-meeting/69726611007/

Accessed at 7:02 pm EDT, August 14, 2024.

2. "Charges dropped for activist Ben Frazier after 2022 arrest at Jacksonville City Council meeting," First Coast News, published at 4:27 pm EDT, April 3, 2023; updated at 6:41 pm EDT, April 3, 2023. https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/charge-dropped-for-activist-ben-frazier-2022-arrest-city-council-meeting/77-30054798-80cd-4af6-a42a-16cb0303a86f Accessed at 5:47 pm EDT, August 15, 2024.

2). "Jacksonville  activist Ben Frazier, arrested ahead of Gov. DeSantis' press conference: Who is he?" by Emily Bloch, Florida Times-Union, published at 4:36 pm ET, January 4, 2022; updated at 7:09 am ET, January 5, 2022.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2022/01/04/jacksonville-activist-ben-frazier-arrested-ahead-gov-desantis-press-conference-now-hes-trending-onli/9093446002/

Accessed at 9:42 pm EDT, August 16, 2024.

3. "Attorney: Charges dropped against activist arrested at Florida governor's news conference" by ActionNewsJax.com News Staff

Published at 6:26 p.m. ET, January 25, 2022

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/attorney-charges-dropped-against-activist-arrested-florida-governors-news-conference/RVTX2YWKIRBFHF3XX726DWR45M/

Accessed at 10:01 pm EDT, August 16, 2024.

4. "Jacksonville tightens City Hall access after stepped-up protests of Confederate monument" by David Bauerlein, Florida Times Union, published 10:43 pm ET, September 16, 2021.

https://www.jacksonville.com/staff/5556093002/david-bauerlein

Accessed 7:40 pm EDT, August 15, 2024.

5. "New sign in City Hall sparks controversy following  protests," First Coast News, published at 11:45 pm EDT, September 15, 2021; updated at 

8:56 EDT, September 16, 2021.

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/new-sign-in-city-hall-sparks-controversy-following-protests/77-74117daf-e831-45d6-bbd8-e7f4b99c7787

Accessed: 7:55 pm EDT, August 15, 2024 & 4:12 pm EDT, August 17, 2024

5. "Community and civil Rights activist Ben Frazier dies at 73," by Cherri Pitzer, The Florida Times Union, published at 11:20 am ET, June 25, 2023; updated 8:37 am ET, June 26, 2023. https://www.jacksonville.com/staff/5245197002/cherri-pitzer/

Accessed at 5:15 pm EDT, August 15, 2024. 

6. "Florida  State Board of Education bans the use of Critical Race Theory in schools" by Jeffrey S. Solochek, Tampa Bay Times, June 10, 2021. Reprinted in Education Week, June 2021.

https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/florida-state-board-of-education-bans-the-use-of-critical-race-theory-in-schools/2021/06

Accessed 5:23 pm EDT, August 17, 2024.

CALL ME ANYTHING BUT...

Liberals have hurled these insults at conservative Republicans. If it will make you feel better, call me any of these:

"ideologue"

"conspiracy believer"

"Bible-thumper"

"gun toter"

"reactionary"

"misogynist"

"weird"

"racist"

"extremist"

"right-winger"

"deplorable"

"garbage" 

Just do NOT call me a DemocRAT.

FLORIDA AMENDMENT 4: VOTE "NO" REASON 2

The summary text for Amendment 4 (A4) that will appear on Florida's ballots reads;

"No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature's constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion."

Reason #2 TO VOTE "NO" ON FLORIDA AMENDMENT 4 (A4) is the use of the term "VIABILITY."  This is why I'm surprised the Florida Supreme Court allowed A4 on the ballot. The  American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists [ACOG] "strongly discourages the inclusion of 'viability'  in legislation or regulation." 

Why? Because the medical professionals (research scientists, clinicians, etc.) have not been able to come to agreement on what exactly the term "Viability" means. There are myriad factors that go into determining viability. Defining it is like trying to corral clouds.

The one guarantee if A4 passes will be a slew of lawsuits over this one word. I call it the "Lawyer's Welfare Amendment." Many taxpayer dollars will be spent on them. Neither mothers nor preborn babies will be benefited while all parties are fighting in courts. Wouldn't you rather have your taxpayer dollars go to better schools, recreational opportunities for our youth, community centers for all ages, medical services or day care than to pay lawyer fees?

If you agree, please get out to vote "NO" on A4. I  encourage you to send this to all your friends & family in Florida. Ask them to forward this to friends & families, etc., etc., etc. 

Nine other states have similar Abortion amendments on their 2024 ballots. They are: Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Nevada, and South Dakota.

(Source: ballotpedia.org )

So send this to people you know in those states, asking them to forward it, too. Then, please pray all these Abortion ballot measures fail.

Some of you may be interested in all the research I did on the subject of viability. I found it fascinating. I plan to post it on this blog in the next day or two.

Whether you agree or disagree, please VOTE. It's the best way to honor our Veterans and our Active Duty Military Members. They fought for and are preserving your and my right to vote.

FLORIDA AMENDMENT 4: WHY I VOTED NO Reason 1

 The summary voters will see on their Florida 2024 General Election ballot for Amendment 4 (A4) reads: "No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature's constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion." Passage requires 60% of voters to agree.

Here is the first reason I voted NO on A4: I believe human life begins BEFORE conception. What? Here's my evidence. Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I [God] formed you in the womb, I  knew you." And, Ephesians 1:4  "Even before he made the world, God loved us & chose us in Christ."  Every preborn human baby is made by God in the  "God created man in his own image... male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)

As such, every preborn baby, even if it is only two cells big, has human rights equal to their parents. As the immortal words of our Declaration of Independence say: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

I never use the term "fetus" because it is dehumanizing. In warfare, soldiers are taught to dehumanize the enemy so they will be less hesitant to kill them. The Left has been very strategic in switching "baby" to "fetus" to make mothers, lawmakers & voters more willing to kill a preborn baby via abortion. 

Did you know God promises blessings if you choose life? He does in Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV): "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life." I voted NO on A1 because I want blessings, not curses, for myself, the State of Florida, & my nation. 

If you agree, I encourage you to send this to all your friends & family in Florida. Ask them to forward this to friends & families, etc., etc., etc. 

Ten other states have Abortion amendments on their 2024 ballots. They are: Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Nevada, and South Dakota.(Source: ballotpedia.org )

So send this to people you know in those states, asking them to forward it too. Then, pray all these ballot measures fail, if you prefer blessings to curses.

PUTIN ENDORSED KAMALA HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT

Have you seen news of Russian President Vladimir Putin's endorsement of Kamala Harris for President? It happened back on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia. The timing is not accidental. This was the same day, "the U.S. Justice Department said the Russian state-owned broadcaster RT is carrying out a covert campaign to influence the American public ahead of the election." 

Putin's original preference was "Mr. [Joe] Biden." However, after "he was removed from the race," he asked his supporters to endorse Kamala Harris. So, Putin declared "Well, we will do so – we will support her.”

Why did Putin endorse Harris, besides Biden's recommendation? In his speech, he praised her, “She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means that she is doing well." Then he added, "If Harris is doing well, then 'perhaps she will refrain' from imposing more sanctions on Russia."

What does that mean? Given Putin's history of past endorsements, he likely believes Harris would be easier to deal with (a pushover?) than Trump. Putin has built up a laundry list of resentments against Trump, who imposed more sanctions and tariffs on Russia than any other President. It's understandable that he would not want to see Trump back in the White House.

How did our lamestream media handle this to prevent damage to the Harris campaign? Three things occurred:

1.) The first & most common was to bury the story with a brief one-time report near the end of a newscast or in the back pages of a newspaper. 

2.) Many media outlets simply chose not to report it at all.

3.) Some made a joke about it. That was the strategy of the Associated Press (AP). Understand, the AP sends their news' reports to thousands of member media outlets. They, in turn, reprint or rebroadcast what AP sends verbatim with credit in the byline. 

Very few of these smaller, local media ever do any of their own background research or fact-checking of what these news' aggregators , such as AP, Reuters or United Press International (UPI) report.

Here's how the media sanitizes language, too. Did you notice that Putin said Biden "was removed from the race"? Most U.S. outlets changed Putin's '"removed" to "left." 

When asked the next day, Friday, September 6 2024, if Putin was joking or serious in his endorsement of Harris, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's spokesman, said, “When he is asked about international affairs, he comments on them. As for his tone, people abroad who are interested must try to interpret that." 

John Kirby, National Security Communications Advisor, did not find humor or joking in Putin's endorsement. Kirby's comments show, "Mr. Putin should stop discussing our elections and refrain from favoritism. Only Americans should decide their next president. We urge Mr. Putin to cease both his commentary and interference in our election process.”

As for me, I now know what to call Harris. She is Comrade Kamala Harris.

Source: "Vladimir Putin trolls US presidential race with 'endorsement' of Kamal Harris," by Nathan Hodge, CNN World, updated 4:09 PM EDT, Thursday, September 5, 2024.9-15-2024 & 9-18-2024https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/05/europe/vladimir-putin-kamala-harris-endorsement-intl/index.htmlAccessed on September 15 and 18, 2024

Source: " Russia mocks US election allegations as Putin teasingly says he supports Harris," by Emma Burrows, The Associated Press, September 5, 2024, 5:24 pm EDT. https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-united-states-kamala-harris-trump-721034cf80fed36d4ca22c2608c16911

Accessed September 20, 2024

Source:"US Election 2024: Donald Trump 'very offended' by Vladimir Putin's endorsement of Kamala Harris," by ET Online, The Economic Times, last updated September 10, 2024, 12:58 pm IST

https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/us-election-2024-donald-trump-very-offended-by-vladimir-putins-endorsement-of-kamala-harris/articleshow/113212953.cmsAccessed September 21, 2024

Source: "On Putin 'backing' Kamala Harris, Kremlin says people free to interpret," by Express Web Desk, The Indian Express, September 6, 2024 at 21:19 IST

https://indianexpress.com/article/world/putin-endorse-kamala-harris-trump-9553911/

Accessed September 21, 2024